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Quotes on the HBP as a FET Flagship, 24th January, 2013

"The human brain is the most complex and amazing structure in the universe, yet we are very far from understanding it. In a way, we are strangers to ourselves. Unraveling the mysteries of the brain will help us understand our functioning, our choices, and ultimately ourselves. I congratulate the European Commission for its vision in selecting the Human Brain Project as a Flagship Mission for the forthcoming decade. Making a great step on the path of self-discovery for humanity, the Commission has chosen a field which I am certain carries the key to a better tomorrow. Israel has put brain research at the heart of its efforts for the coming decade, and our country is already spearheading the global effort towards the betterment of our understanding of mankind. I am confident that the forthcoming discoveries will benefit a wide range of domains, from health to industry, as well as our society as a whole and I will do my best to promote it further." Shimon Peres, President, State of Israel

"Next to theory and experiment, the simulations produced by supercomputers have become the third pillar of science. The simulation of the human brain allows us a better understanding of how it works. Using this new knowledge to enter a new era of information technology is a fascinating endeavor. This project is also an honor for Germany as a location for supercomputing. These simulations will be implemented on Europe's fastest supercomputer, JUQUEEN, at Forschungszentrum Jülich. I congratulate all involved scientists on this success." Annette Schavan, Federal Minister of Education and Research, Germany

"This news is extremely significant for the scientific landscape in Switzerland as well as for this ambitious project that brings together the best European Research Institutions. Switzerland has already committed to supporting the project in several different ways and this success will undoubtedly place Europe at the centre of sciences greatest challenges, as for the Human Genome Project and CERN."Federal Councilor Johann N. Schneider-Ammann, Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research, Switzerland

"The involvement of these three Austrian institutions, along with renowned institutions such as Cambridge University, Yale University or the Weizmann Institute of Science, is an outstanding example of the innovative and excellent research work being carried out in Austria. It also shows that Austrian research can compete at international level and is increasingly pursuing strategic partnerships."Karlheinz Töchterle, Federal Minister for Science and Research, Austria

"The support of the HBP is a critical step taken by the EC to make possible major advances in our understanding of how the brain works. HBP will be a driving force to develop new and still more powerful computers to handle the massive accumulation of new information about the brain, while the neuroscientists are ready to use these new tools in their laboratories. The research can also give rise to fundamentally new computer architectures modeled after the brain. This co-operation should lead to new concepts and a deeper understanding of the brain, the most complex and intricate creation on earth."Torsten Wiesel, Nobel Laureate, Sweden

"From our work at the Allen Institute for Brain Science, we know it's possible to take our understanding of the brain to the next level when we enable top scientists to collaborate and share knowledge. This huge vote of confidence for the new Human Brain Project signals to the rest of the world just how important it is to invest in brain research." Paul G. Allen, founder of the Allen Institute for Brain Science, USA

"I would like to very warmly congratulate all the scientists working in Austria on the Human Brain Project. Thanks to this huge success, they are helping to network and internationally showcase basic research in Austria – the performance of which is to be demonstrated once again." Christoph Kratky, President of the Austrian Science Foundation, Austria

"Simulation based research is a cornerstone of the HGF program. The Human Brain Project addresses the ultimate challenge for this research and we are fully committed to contribute to make this project a success. This is a bold step in understanding the human brain." Jürgen Mlynek, President Helmholtz Association, Germany

"In selecting the Human Brain Project as one of Europe’s FET Flagship projects, Europe will lead one of the greatest challenges facing mankind - understanding the human brain. Simulation based research is the next step in the evolution of the scientific process for the life sciences and medicine, and it is the new approach needed to unravel and understand an organ as complex as the brain."Patrick Aebischer, President, EPFL, Switzerland

The new project will be an important pillar of research at our university. It addresses one of the most fundamental research challenges of our times and at the same time has the potential for radical impact on the way we store and use information. We are very proud to host this project at the oldest university in Germany, which has openness to new ideas and approaches as its motto: "semper apertus." Bernhard Eitel, Rector of Ruprecht-Karls-Universität, Heidelberg, Germany

"Joint international, interdisciplinary research is the key to success. Research into complex material like the human brain calls for a broad range of disciplines, all working together to achieve a common goal. The EU's new research flagship project will create unprecedented opportunities for brain research. We are both pleased and proud that scientists from Graz University of Technology and their internationally recognised expertise are to play a key role in this project." Harald Kainz, Rector of Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria